Post-traumatic Telecanthus Induced by a Missed Diagnosis of Avulsion Fracture of the Medial Canthal Tendon

Abstract

Telecanthus is commonly accompanied by severe naso-orbito-ethmoid fractures. If there is only an avulsion fracture of the medial canthal tendon (MCT), the initial diagnosis may be missed, and post-traumatic telecanthus may follow. To avoid misdiagnosis of post-traumatic telecanthus, the following should be considered: avulsion fracture of the MCT should be suspected in the presence of an injury or edema of the medial canthal area; the facial computed tomography images should be carefully analyzed to confirm the presence of bone segment caused by the avulsion fracture of the MCT; physical examinations, such as the bowstring test and bimanual palpation, also provide essential data for early diagnosis. And even if early diagnosis is delayed, post-traumatic telecanthus can be improved through aggressive surgical correction.